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News, views and opinions to peruse as the Maple Leafs attempt to snap a three-game losing streak when they meet the Washington Ovechkins at the Air Canada Centre on Saturday night.

DEPTH CHART

Interesting that the Leafs will be without 30% of their regular lineup when they face-off against the Caps.

With James Reimer, Matthew Lombardi, Mike Komisarek, Mikhail Grabovski, Clarke MacArthur and Colby Armstrong all sidelined due to injury, six of the 20 players often dressed by Ron Wilson will be watching the game in street clothes.

The flood of bodies clogging the trainer’s room has many panicking fans urging Maple Leafs management to immediately go out and pull the trigger on some huge deals.

But vice-president of hockey operations Dave Poulin said on Friday that the rash of injuries will not play a role in any trade talks. Not yet anyway.

“If something made sense for our hockey team, we’d do it tomorrow regardless of what’s going on,” Poulin said in a phone interview. “But circumstances right now have no factor with that.

“You have to be patient.”

With a cache of talent down on the farm with the Marlies including the likes of Keith Aulie, Mike Zigomanis, Joe Colborne and Nazem Kadri, it’s time for guys usually in a supporting role to step up.

“We always talk about depth,” Poulin said. “Well, now it’s time to put it to the test. Players have opportunities now and they must take advantage.

“We’ve been issued a challenge and we have to get through this upcoming period.”

SCUTTLEBUTT LODGE

Reports out of Edmonton suggest there has been a lot of talk about Cody Franson heading west for either Linus Omark and a draft pick, or Sam Gagner.

Sure, with Cam Barker needing ankle surgery that will keep him out until March, the Oilers might require blue line help. But with Komisarek out at least three weeks after suffering an apparent hand/arm injury against the Nashville Predators on Thursday, the Leafs need Franson in their own lineup, not someone elses.

Omark is playing with AHL Oklahoma City and has vowed to return to Europe if he’s not back in the NHL soon. He has an out clause to do just that.

Gagner, who is out with back spasms, is Edmonton’s No. 3 centre behind rookie Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and captain Shawn Horcoff.

REIM TIME

While it was optimistic for observers to see recovering goalie James Reimer face shots on Friday, coach Ron Wilson was right on the mark by saying this is no time to get “carried away.”

Back in 10 days? Maybe. But there are no guarantees.

If Sidney Crosby has been out for almost a year and hasn’t been able to pinpoint a specific game for a return, how can anyone be sure when Reimer will be back?

Just asking.

OVIE FAN

As a former Washington Capital, David Steckel knows just how much Alex Ovechkin cares about the game.

While Ovechkin might be criticized in some circles these days for getting off to a slow start to the season (at least by his standards), Steckel feels no one in the sport plays with more passion.

“He wears his heart on his sleeve,” Steckel said on Friday. “That’s the way he approaches life off the ice and on the ice. He’s really a great guy.”

Steckel was asked about Ovechkin’s career-low 32-goal season of a year ago.

“I don’t know ... off year for him, I guess,” Steckel said. “You’re not going to score 50 goals every year in the league. I think those days are done.

“But, by the same token, he’s a game-breaker. He can come out each shift and score a goal or he can come out and be quiet for 2-1/2 periods, then all of a sudden he’s a game-breaker.

“Ovie’s going to be Ovie. He’s going to play hard. He’s a dynamic player.